Is the entry-level job... extinct? In this episode of HR Nightmares, co-hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney dive into the AI-fueled shake-up that’s redefining what it means to “get your foot in the door.” As automation handles more of the repetitive and routine, many roles that once served as launchpads for new grads are either vanishing or morphing beyond recognition.

The team explores which industries are still welcoming humans with open arms—think healthcare, construction, sales, and data science—and why some skills will always outmatch a machine. They also call out the frustrating trend of “entry-level” roles requiring 3–5 years of experience and unpack the growing disconnect between higher education and hiring realities.

Whether you're a recent grad wondering where the jobs went, a parent trying to make sense of this new world, or an employer rethinking early-career hiring, this episode is packed with honest talk, sharp insights, and a few laughs along the way.

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In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, and Beth Looney tackle one of the most challenging scenarios HR leaders face: immigration enforcement in the workplace. What do you do when ICE shows up unannounced?

The team shares real-life stories, including the heartbreaking account of an employee deported after decades in the U.S., and breaks down actionable strategies for employers—from conducting regular I-9 audits to setting up clear front desk protocols.

More than just compliance, the conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy and support for remaining staff. Learn how to prepare your business legally while maintaining compassion for your workforce during these disruptive events.

Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com. Subscribe and share this conversation wherever you get your podcast. Join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares!

Welcome to Season 4 of HR Nightmares. Today, Lisa Leath (Chief People Officer at Vantaca), Beth Looney (Senior Consultant at Leath HR Group), and Amy Conway (Senior Consultant at Leath HR Group) tackle artificial intelligence in the workplace. Is AI revolutionizing business or threatening jobs? Let's find out.

Our hosts examine how differently businesses are adopting AI tools—from hesitant small companies to organizations seeing dramatic productivity gains. The conversation shifts to practical AI applications in HR and business operations, revealing how these tools are transforming everything from administrative tasks to complex assessments.

Submit your anonymous workplace questions at LeathHRGroup.com and follow us/subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Join us next time for more straight talk from the frontlines of HR on HR Nightmares!

Welcome back to HR Nightmares, where every "growth opportunity" is just one awkward coaching conversation away from a full-blown crisis. In this episode, hosts Lisa Leath, Amy Conway, Beth Looney, and guest, Lakesha McDay tackle one of the spiciest HR hot potatoes — embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into workplace culture. Spoiler alert: It’s more than just a catchy LinkedIn post.

HR isn't for the faint of heart, and neither is embedding DEI into your company’s DNA. But with intentionality, coaching, and a willingness to lead with hospitality (shoutout to Cameron Mitchell’s playbook), even the messiest workplace nightmares can have a happy ending.

Lakesha stresses that DEI should be woven into the organization’s fabric, not treated as a side project. Building psychological safety is key, encouraging employees to share perspectives without fear of repercussions. The Leath HR Group ladies highlight the "Buddy to Boss" journey, showing how leaders can transition from peer to manager through coaching, self-awareness, and understanding human communication styles.

They all explain how belonging in the workplace isn’t just "being on the team" but having a say in the plays being called. This requires intentional inclusion, not just surface-level gestures. Amy uses her Nordstrom experience to emphasize how frontline employees and customers often hold the answers leaders seek. Emotional intelligence, she notes, isn’t optional — it’s essential for effective leadership.

Pro tip: skip "HR Jams Vol. 1" and ask your people what playlist makes them feel at home.

The latest episode of the HR Nightmares podcast took a deep dive into the role of workplace design in boosting employee well-being and productivity—because, as Lisa quipped, “If your office looks like a dungeon, don’t be surprised if morale’s in the basement.”

HR Nightmares’ guest, Rick Snyder, a furniture design guru, shared how thoughtful office design can alleviate common HR headaches, from privacy issues in open spaces to the hybrid work puzzle.

The episode spotlighted the rise of hybrid work—with 41% of U.S. companies operating hybrid, 34% fully remote, and 23% in-office only. The hosts, Lisa Leath, Beth Looney and Amy Conway emphasized that a “room with a view” isn’t just a perk; it’s a productivity driver. Creating spaces for collaboration, individual work, and community gathering is key to fostering connection and camaraderie. Their advice? Get employee input during design—because no one wants to be stuck in a "cubicle farm" nightmare.

The conversation wrapped with a call to action to prioritize employee well-being—not just in spirit, but in seating. Ergonomic chairs are a must, since “if you’re going to have employees glued to their seats, at least make sure it’s a throne.” Companies were also urged to improve hybrid collaboration spaces, upgrade office furniture, and consider wellness areas to support mental health. As Lisa said in closing, “Design matters. It’s not just about where you work—it’s about how you feel while you’re there.”

In this episode of HR Nightmares, Lisa Leath and Beth Looney are diving into one of the most polarizing, yet unavoidable, challenges we face in the workplace: navigating sensitive situations around election season. As we get closer to election day, we see more political conversations, social media posts, and yes, even heated debates creeping into the workplace. So how do we as HR leaders manage this delicate balance? How do we protect our company culture, promote inclusivity, and support our employees—without letting politics divide us?

Join us and explore everything from handling political tensions in the office to managing social media activism, and even the potential for unconscious bias creeping into our decision-making processes during these turbulent times. This episode covers the tough, real-world scenarios that HR leaders and companies can’t afford to ignore. #hrnightmares #2024election

This week, the HR Nightmares crew tackled the legal spaghetti bowl that is non-compete agreements and the proposed FTC ban, and they brought in the big legal guns—Katie Greene from Michael Best. Lisa dove into the hot topics keeping employment lawyers and HR leaders up at night—non-compete bans, overtime thresholds, and employee classifications. She managed to make compliance sound almost exciting! Katie Greene from Michael Best chimed in with the latest on how courts are treating non-competes and the non-exempt/ overtime rollercoaster. Fun times ahead when those 2nd round January FLSA salary floor exemption changes hit!

In classic HR Nightmares style, the group offers some (semi-)comforting words to those recently canned. Lisa suggests turning your non-competes into "barely-competes" by keeping them specific and narrow—otherwise, see you in court. With remote work a norm, Katie and Lisa remind us that if your trade secrets are spilling out of Zoom calls, it's time to get serious about information security.

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This episode of HR Nightmares was a ride through the choppy waters of HR. Joined by guest, attorney Geoff Losee, the Leath HR Group hosts navigated topics from open container laws to office romances with the grace of a seasoned sailor This episode of HR Nightmares dives into a whirlwind of workplace issues. From the complexities of maritime law to the everyday challenges of managing employees, pitfalls of open container laws and the importance of solid workplace policies, these four tackle an array of employment nightmares and how to navigate to calmer waters. It's a reminder that even the calmest workplace can unexpectedly turn into a hurricane.